Search Results for "Garage Punk"

Phoenix funksters Playboy Manbaby‘s live set is so outrageously high energy that it’s easy to forget that the Tempe-based space cadet spazz-punks are also quite prolific in the recording studio. In the year and a half between July 2013 and Dec. 2014 as a five-piece (they’ve since added saxophone player Ricky Smash) the group was able to drop four studio releases three of which came out in in 2014 alone.

With the group having released the short E.P. Eldfell on July 5 right on the heels of their full-length Don’t Let It Be back in February it could be an indicator that Robbie Pfeffer, Chris Hudson, TJ Friga, David Cosme, and Chad Dennis, along with Smash intend to spend more time in 2017 in the studio. Which would certainly be a welcome change considering in 2015 and 2016 the group’s only releases were a live album and single “I want to Meet your Parents.”

Eldfell is two vastly different songs but they represent the duality of Playboy Manbaby’s music. The A side “Adult” is the funky side of Playboy Manbaby, with Pfeffer’s lyrics being delivered like nerdcore hip hop over drop beats and a ton of adlibs. The song is a saxophone driven ode to adolescent irresponsibility.

The B-side “Weltschmerz” brings in the more manic, punk driven side of Playboy Manbaby. TJ Friga’s guitar takes center stage on the track right next to Pfeffer’s frenzied vocals. It’s a 2-minute hard driving punk tune made for Playboy’s incorrigible droves of moshing and stage diving fans.

The Orwells. I have to admit I’ve got a soft spot in my heart for these guys. They went to my High School’s rival, York in Elmhurst, Illinois. Well they weren’t much of a rival, we basically whooped up on them, so maybe that’s why I’m pulling for them. Who knew that a small-town Illinois band could channel the Troggs and The Kingsmen bashing out like they’re plugged in next to a Beetle in a 1960s garage? They may not be in orbit, but The Orwells have definitely left the stratosphere. I first caught their act at the Spillover fest in Dallas TX. They made quite an impression. Singer Mario Cuomo strutted onto the stage like a rock and roll diva: blond tresses, poofy shirt straight outta Seinfeld, and 1970s-era 4 inch heels; which to me indicated that these guys did not give a fuck. A point that was driven home when they tore down the 30-foot velvet curtains precipitating an onstage melee. So they had the attitude, they had the swagger; but could they back it up? I have to admit, after that show, I was not convinced. I bought their record “Remember When” anyway and it passed the “What is this” test; which means when it came up on the Ipod, I would say to myself “What is this?” A good sign. I had it on heavy rotation going forward. Let me throw into the mix that these guys are signed on to play Riot Fest this year. And I am anxiously awaiting their set. With all that history, I felt primed to take on their major-label sophomore effort, “Terrible Human Beings.”

When it comes to comparisons, I think most often these guys get lumped in with the Strokes. I’d say that’s fair. They have a garage/surf sound that could also remind you of Black Lips, Thee Oh Sees, or Fidlar. As I drove through the flats of west Oklahoma for work, I had this record on repeat. Was that a bad thing? Definitely not. Was it a great thing? Not really. Given the hype around these guys and the fact that “Remember When” is pretty solid, I figured this album would blow me away. It didn’t. What about the tunes? “They put a body in the bayou” opens the record with a hypnotic jangly riff that pretty much personifies their surf style. Track two, “Fry,” picks up the tempo and provides corroboration for any Strokes comparisons out there. “Creatures” brings a sultry slinky riff into the mix and for some reason the song reminds me of novelty 60s garage tunes like “Flying Purple People Eater.” The one song that redeems this entire album in my opinion is “Vacation” great hook, incendiary lyrics, it’s the whole enchilada. “Turn off your television, your permission kills civilians, no one can feel your vision, they’re on vacation masturbating.” That certainly paints a picture. On “Black Francis” the band attempts some kind of homage to the Pixies. I failed to make the connection. “M.A.D” and “Buddy” display the Orwells’ ability to craft a catchy tune, but like pop rocks candy it quickly dissipates. Of the remaining tunes on the record, “Last Call (Go Home)” is the only one I found worthy of repeat listens.

The quick and dirty: IF you’re a fan of surf rock, you’ll dig this album. It’s a solid representation of the genre. If you are a person just looking for a great record, look elsewhere. Check out The Orwells’ “Remember When” and work your way up from there. I’m still anxious to see these guys at Riot Fest. Maybe they’ll reignite my interest in “Terrible Human Beings.”

Ottawa’s Cheap Whine released their debut album on Drunken Sailor Records. Fast, fun garage pop punk. The instrumentation has a quick & dirty sound reminiscent of late 70s punk, but sounds just right. You can buy the digital album off bandcamp for £5 (Five GBP, which I assume stands for “Great British Phun-money”), which comes out to around six and a half Trump Bux.

Man, writing for DyingScene just ruins my wallet. Two songs into this album, and I bought it. Check out the stream below!

Named after a YMCA summer camp in their hometown of Fenton, Michigan, Copneconic plays a unique brand of garage punk which teeters on the line of mainstream grunge (if that’s still a thing). Their newest album, Generation Parasite (due out digitally on July 28th via Save Your Generation Records) doubles down on this signature slacker rock/power-pop sound with slicker production and well placed, whale sized hooks. Nick Diener of The Swellers (and proprietor of Oneder Studios where the LP was recorded) lent his ear and years of experience to help carve out this head hobbing, stoner approved rock record. So, roll a doobie, head down to your bedroom in your parent’s basement and stream the debut single “Trash” exclusively here at Dying Scene, below!

We typically like to do all of the wordsmithing around these parts but every so often, there’s a band bio that sums up the act way better than we could. This is one of those bio’s: “Four formerly angst ridden twenty somethings from London, ON, Canada. Quickly approaching their thirties and hurling their anxieties at the well fished sea of pop punk to see what sort of monsters will rise. We were trying to be the Menzingers but are commonly compared to Superchunk.” If that awe inspiring write up doesn’t grab ya, you’ll definitely be hooked after you give them a listen! Today we’re pleased to premiere the track “I Want To Die” from the quartet’s first LP, Late Bloomers due out later this fall via Chisel Records. Until it drops though, we recommend streaming the debut single incessantly. Hop to it, below!

Garage punks The Establishment, a new band from the Netherlands, featuring members of Antidote, Brat Pack, Citizens Patrol. Reaching Forward and Born from Pain, have release their debut video. “Vicious Rumours” is from an expected debut full length that the band are going into the studio to record in June.

Garage punk ‘n’ rollers The Hip Priests are letting fans listen to their entire new full-length record for free. To be honest, full length doesn’t really do Those Fuckin’ Boys: Decade of Disdain justice. It’s got a massive twenty-seven tracks of down and dirty, swinging, guitar driven honky-tonk, comprising of all the band’s singles, and various other special tracks.

Newfoundland sad punk band Rough Surf and Winnipeg punk rockers Broken Nose Mall Santa are streaming their new split EP over on the Rough Surf Bandcamp page. The 6-track release is an even split with each band contributing 3 songs to the EP. You can stream it below.

Garage punk act Rough Surf from St. Johns, Newfoundland released a new video for “Almost Older” off their upcoming split with Broken Nose Mall Santa of Winnipeg, Manitoba. The split will be out and available in a couple of weeks.

The video is kind of a parody of The Blair Witch Project and you can check it out below.

Band Spotlight

Hailing from Lincoln, UK Nieviem is a newer skate punk band that has been tearing it up for a little over a year. Steadily releasing new songs, live recordings, and EPs, the band continues the trend with their second EP The Hope Is There. The EP is fast and heavy, borrowing from hardcore but still strongly entrenched in 90's skate punk. If that sounds up your alley, then give it a listen here.